US 12,128,259 B2
Respirator negative pressure fit check devices and methods
William A. Mittelstadt, Woodbury, MN (US); Carl W. Raines, III, Woodbury, MN (US); David R. Stein, White Bear Lake, MN (US); Nathan A. Abel, Minneapolis, MN (US); David M. Blomberg, Lino Lakes, MN (US); Michael J. Cowell, Woodbury, MN (US); Gary E. Dwyer, Mallorytown (CA); Thomas I. Insley, Lake Elmo, MN (US); Michael J. Svendsen, Blaine, MN (US); Dylan T. Cosgrove, Oakdale, MN (US); Kent E. Lageson, Prior Lake, MN (US); and Chaodi Li, Woodbury, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/303,668.
Application 17/303,668 is a continuation of application No. 14/285,202, filed on May 22, 2014, granted, now 11,052,268.
Application 14/285,202 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/757,373, filed on Feb. 1, 2013, granted, now 9,950,202.
Prior Publication US 2021/0290992 A1, Sep. 23, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A62B 18/10 (2006.01); A62B 27/00 (2006.01)
CPC A62B 18/10 (2013.01) [A62B 27/00 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A respiratory mask, comprising:
a mask body defining a breathable air zone for a wearer and having one or more inlet ports configured to receive one or more breathing air source components, wherein the mask body further comprises a fluid intake communication component configured to provide fluid communication between an inlet port of the one or more inlet ports and an opening defined within the mask body; and
a shut-off valve operable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the shut-off valve comprises one or more sealing pads configured to block the opening, when the shut-off valve is in the closed position, to prevent fluid communication between the one or more inlet ports and the breathable air zone;
wherein the shut-off valve includes an actuator formed of a flange and a span extending from the flange, the span configured to provide tactile feedback in response to an applied force placed on the actuator when operated from the open position to the closed position.